Says Chen Dan Yan the famous Chinese Novelist and Travel Writer to the “Cross Latitude” travel programme” of East Radio in China.
(Chen Danyan is on the right and May Ma on left)
Cross Latitude of East Radio is broadcasted in Shanghai and other cities in Yangtze River Delta area every weekend from 8 pm to 9 pm on AM792 and FM89.9, covering a population over 100 million. The entire discussion on East China Radio was aired on four consecutive weekends recently.
The radio discussion was subsequent to a visit by Ms. Chen Dan Yan and her friend Ms. May Ma, the successful businesswoman in the Chinese tourism industry for several years, who visited Sri Lanka in May 2012. The visit was part of a familiarization tour organized by SriLankan Airlines with Walkers Tours being the local operator. Following the visit, ICS TV in Shanghai broadcasted 4 minutes clip in its regular News on 9th of June 2012.
Although it was the first time that Chen went to Sri Lanka, her tour from planning to reflection after returning was very typical and represented most of the visitors from China. The easy visa application system and the direct flight were also incentives to choose visit Sri Lanka, but primarily that as a child, she had read about Sri Lanka and South Asia in children’s stories. She also was much impressed about the service she had, from the time of applying for the visa at the Consulate General in Shanghai, air tickets from SriLankan Airlines, in-flight service, immigration and customs formalities to transport, hotels and the places visited.
She also emphasized that she was pleasantly surprised at the high level of conservation of archeological sites visited and the maintenance of the sites. She further stated that she was amazed and felt the biodiversity and the richness of the natural environment and was enchanted by the natural landscape which made her quite excited every minute of her visit.
With her experience, she strongly recommended the potential Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka, to have a slow-pace-tour; not to visit Sri Lanka as one does on any other package tour during which one always wants to see the most attractions in the least time and expense; this she said, is completely different from the modern day living style in China - people are always rushing and surrounded by highways, speeding cars and skyscrapers almost everywhere in China. In contrast, she has felt strongly that when one visits the Culture Triangle and other parts of Sri Lanka, no matter whether it is urban area like Colombo or a rural area, even a place that the tourists don’t know the name, genuine smiles and hospitality are always there - the most valuable experience one can get in Sri Lanka.
She was also impressed how hospitable the ordinary average people are, rich or poor, through her experience of driving the car from one attraction to another; she has just stopped the vehicle several times seeing exotic fruit bearing trees of private owners, who had been more than happy to let her taste the fruits. She has also noted the harmonious life between animal and people and has been fascinated by seeing an elephant walking along the road indicating to get a comb of banana from a shop by the side of the road!
She has also visited Sunday Schools at a temple and a church and had been impressed about the ethics and moral training as well as social responsibilities that are inculcated in to young minds.
At the end, she strongly recommended that the island of Sri Lanka is an ideal place for family tour, and it helps the Chinese parents to create a more harmonious relationship with their children and ease the tensions. She also appealed the family visitors to Sri Lanka to visits Sri Lanka several times to appreciate and enjoy the power of nature which would be healing minds and souls.
Chen, is also is planning to visit Sri Lanka to join the Galle International Literary Festival to be held in 2013 and to publish her own Travel Book on Sri Lanka to promote family tours to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Consulate General
Shanghai
8th October 2012
